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Why I quit my job.

Monday, March 5, 2018

Last November, I threw myself for a loop when I quit my job as an attorney. I semi-announced my departure from practicing law on social media and since then I've been asked by a ton of people why and what now.

I am not a person who handles change well. I like the status quo. I enjoy routine. I like knowing what's tomorrow, next week and next month. It terrifies me to take chances.

Practicing law was something I chose to do when I was a senior in college. I took a year off to take the LSAT and really think about whether or not I wanted to go to law school. After my year off, I happily went off to Creighton and spent three hard years in law school.

A lot of people ask me since I'm no longer practicing if I would still go to law school. My answer in unequivocally yes. Law school was damn hard, the years (& bar exams) after were so tough, but it was the best decision for me then and I think it is still a great decision for me now. Plus on top of the school/JD, I met my husband, so if for nothing else, I'd do it again.

After Adam and I moved to Colorado, practicing law was hard. I left a great job in Omaha and struggled to find that here in Denver. Eventually I found a job practicing in an area of law I'd never even studied, but it was a job and I was glad to have it. Three years later, I really found my niche in this firm. I knew what I was doing, I knew the law, I loved practicing in federal court and for the most part, I liked my job.

I grew up with a dad who loved his job every day he went to work. I didn't know that feeling. My job was good but the hard, tough days started outweighing the good. I started resenting my clients, the law, my co-workers and my day-to-day. It was a really hard place to be in because I didn't know anything else but law. This was my first real job post school. I couldn't rest on my year as a waitress, this was the career I had chosen.

Everyone kept telling me, "do anything else," "you're qualified to do a lot of things," "what do you really want to do?" "you can totally switch careers!" That is easier said than done. I've worked towards practicing law since I was 23 years old. How, at 30, can I switch all of that to start new?

For so long, I based my identify in my job, in my title. I worked damn hard for that title. There was a point I had to get too where I let go of my ego and found my identity in something else.

Late last year, my job started creating a ton of personal stress. I was frustrated, angry and annoyed. I cried at the end of a lot of days, and honestly, I was just unhappy.

I knew I had to change something, but those thoughts of "whats next" killed me. I had no idea what to do next. I spent so many hours on Indeed and Monster trying to find the motivation I needed to find a new job.

When we experienced our miscarriage last October, I knew it was time for a change and honestly I didn't really care what that change was. But, I knew that big change had to start with my job.

It was like God knew I needed a change. My brother in law reached out to me with a position in a start up he was founding and wanted me to be the Director of Content. I was going to work from home, travel to Omaha more, stop practicing law, start working in a startup and completely change the trajectory of my life.

I said yes immediately.

Then I had to tell my job. I had to give my two weeks. I had to quit a job I was completely comfortable in, even if I wasn't satisfied. It was hard, but it was such a good move for me.

It's been four months since I left. Its been a change, but its been a change I needed more than I ever knew possible. It's amazing having a job I don't dread. And past not dreading it, I actually love it. I enjoy the work I'm doing, I enjoy my co-workers, I haven't cried once and I'm starting to find my new identity.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes work gets hard, frustrating and down right hard, but being in a job you love, means I'm willing to get through those days because the next day will be even better.

Today, I'm thankful. Thankful for this new job, thankful for God's timing, thankful for a brother-in-law who believed in me enough and thankful for a husband who supported this huge life change.

I can honestly say I'm one of those people who wakes up and loves working. It took me a while to get here, but I'm so glad I'm here.

9 comments:

I love you so so much! I was in such a similar situation, yet different. I had no idea how much if my identity was in my previous job (of almost 11 years!) and it was tough to leave but God’s timing is so good. Loving you and praying for you sweet friend. xo Katelyn

I love this! I can definitely relate to being sort of "stuck" in a job & not sure what else to do, especially when it's something that you went to school for. How awesome to have that opportunity with the new company at just the right time. :)

P.S. - I live in Omaha & it's always fun to "meet" other fellow Nebraskans!